Factors associated with bottle feeding in Namibia: findings from Namibia 2013 Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of bottle feeding (BF) among children aged 0–23 months and factors associated with BF in Namibia. Methods Data from Namibia 2013 Demographic Health Survey were used for the study. The study covered last-born alive children aged 0–23 months, making up 1926 mother–baby pairs. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to test for association between BF and related factors. Results Prevalence of BF in Namibia was 35.7%. In the multivariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with increased risk of BF: working mothers, hospital delivery, increasing child age, higher mother’s educational status, higher wealth quintile and urban residence. Conclusion To achieve a substantial decrease in bottle usage rate in Namibia, breastfeeding promotion programmes should target all mothers but especially those at risk of BF highlighted in the study